My Top Ten Favorite Products of 2012 Reviewed

These are a few of my fa-vor-ite things...

I realized that never talk about beauty products on here, which is kind of a travesty given how passionately I feel about my favorite stuff. I, like so many of my peers, have more of this stuff in my bathroom than I actually need or will ever use. I'm making it a point to write about stuff I like as I discover it from now on. My makeup bag is a mix of drugstore, high end, and independent brand cosmetics. I'll use anything as long as it's quality stuff, I don't discriminate! I'm broke too (sometimes). These are not products just released this year, merely ones I have begun using this year. Please note that I have been in no way compensated for this post. These are all products I actually love and use daily, and I just wanted to share 'em with you ('cause I like you).

I don't know if you've noticed... but I'm pale as hell. That, plus the fact that I think it's super important to use a great quality foundation, makes me not mind the price tag on this. I have very combo skin, mostly leaning toward the oily side, which makes a clay-based foundation perfect for me. The kicker? I don't even require the palest shade. Thanks for the ego boost, Tarte.

Speaking of my crappy skin, THIS STUFF. Oh man, this stuff. This stuff is so good I'm getting emotional trying to write about it. For only 20 bucks, you get three FULL SIZE skin care products- a deep pore scrubbing cleanser, a repairing acne lotion, and a roller spot stick. Please be advised- this stuff is not a quick fix. You only start to see results after about three weeks. The first week it treats the acne you have, the second week, it draws all the grody stuff out of your face, and the third week it starts to clear everything up. My face GLOWS now. I thought glowy skin was an unattainable goal for me and my awesome adult acne, but it's happening! I can't promise you will see the same results, but I can happily report that I am pleased as punch with my new regimen.

I don't know why, but my scalp is just constantly the DRYEST. It's very annoying, because I feel like I deep condition a good amount and I don't even wash my hair every day. I had never been able to find a product that prevented my scalp from always being flaky (T-Gel was too drying, Head and Shoulders is too waxy, etc.) until I got a sample of this stuff in my seasonal Target Style box. It's amazing- doesn't weigh my fine hair down or make it feel like I threw a jar of pomade in it. It did, however, cure my dry scalp issues within about four uses. Having worked in a salon for years, I know the benefits of using expensive salon-quality products in your hair. But dammit, I don't care. I pledge allegiance to this cheap ass shampoo and conditioner forever and ever, amen.

Nectar Thermique? More like nectar of the GODS. This heat-protectant leave-in lotion is worth every penny. My hair is bleached and I frequently heat style (I know/shut up), so my ends need some serious help- lest they part like the Red Sea and begin to closely resemble a witch's broom when dry (and al dente spaghetti when wet). It smells nice, and makes my hair feel as smooth as silk. I have kept my haircut looking nice and seen nary a split end since I started using this stuff.

I discovered Julep on fab.com of all places, and I have purchased tons of their products as gifts for others (and myself), and even joined their Monthly Maven Box program since then. I know there are maybe cooler polishes out there (I still luv u Butter London & Deborah Lippman!), but they ship incredibly fast, stuff your package with free or discounted goodies, and are an almost completely woman-run company. They also take customer feedback to heart, and seem to be constantly improving. If you're interested in ANOTHER subscription box service (can you ever really get too many?) you can sign up here, and tell 'em I sent ya.

Is everyone else addicted to lip balm?
I have been since I was about 12 years old. I am allowing myself to
continue this addiction because lip balm is great and relatively
harmless and you can't convince me otherwise. This particular balm
quickly became my favorite this year. From the pastel mid-century modern
inspired egg shaped container, to the little whiff of awesome minty
candy smell you get every time you open it, I couldn't help but be won
over. Sure, you can't put it it your pocket (unless you are wearing
cargo pants, in which case- we need to talk), but you can put it on both lips at once. It's a trade-off.

I am so late to the lip primer party. I didn't even know it existed until this year, and now I can't live without it. I don't even see the point in wearing lipstick unless there's primer under it anymore. It makes every lipstick look expensive, prevents cheap lipsticks from staining, and helps even shimmer-based lipsticks stay on for hours. I had been a faithful OCC Lip Tar devotee for a couple years, but I was getting tired of having to sandpaper my lips off to remove it. I am sure my lips appreciate the switch.

I swore to myself that I would never buy anything from Doe Deere. Her shady business practices and sometimes racist lines kept me away for many years. But dammit, I really wanted emerald green lipstick. And dammit, wouldn't you know that no other emerald green lippy would do? I report, with much hesitation, that if you are looking for the best emerald green lipstick, this is it. Sigh. I wouldn't have even included it here if I hadn't been wearing it every day since I got it. Just make sure you wear it with lip primer to get the full effect. CURSE YOU DOE DEERE.

I was a die-hard Diorshow devotee until I realized that paying $25 for mascara, the most basic of basic makeup products with the shortest of shelf lives, is kind of a terrible monetary decision. The Falsies is honestly just as good as Diorshow! I'm not giving up on wearing actual falsies or anything, but it is an impressive product for a fraction of what I was paying before.

After
trying every liquid liner in the world (and being disappointed as
hell), I decided I was going to try out this crazy gel eyeliner stuff I
kept hearing about. I swear I will NEVER go back to liquid liner as long
as I live now. If you're as eyeliner-obsessed as me and you haven't
already tried it out, I highly recommend it. It's way more fun to apply
than liquid liner too. Just make sure you get a good brush! Broke ass
protip: e.l.f. makes a gel eyeliner that is just as good in my opinion,
comes with a brush, and it's only $3.